Prevalence of minimal hepatic encephalopathy among patients with chronic liver disease in Ilorin, Nigeria.

Background: Minimal Hepatic encephalopathy is the mildest form of Hepatic Encephalopathy which presents with significant cognitive impairment and affectation of activities of daily living. The literature is scanty on the prevalence of minimal hepatic encephalopathy in Nigerians with chronic liver disease.

Aim: This study aimed at determining the prevalence of minimal hepatic encephalopathy among patients with chronic liver disease using neuro-psychometric tests.

Oesophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis: a rare endoscopic finding.

Unlabelled: Oesophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis is an uncommon condition, characterized by multiple small rounded cavities seen in the oesophageal wall during oesophagogastroduodenoscopy. It is often associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, achalasia, oesophageal candidiasis and diabetes mellitus. We report a 40 year old Nigerian man who presented with recurrent dysphagia and endoscopic findings typical of oesophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura as the first presentation in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an uncommon, life-threatening disease characterized by severe thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, neurologic abnormalities, renal insufficiency, and fever commonly associated with infections, malignancy, drugs, and autoimmune diseases. Coexistence of TTP with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is extremely rare, and the emergence of the full manifestation of SLE starting with TTP is even rarer. Black people due to genetic risk factors are at increased risk of TTP.

The impacts of state and trait anxiety as moderated by perceived social support among Nigerian patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To assess the levels of state and trait anxiety and determine their relationships with perceived social support among Nigerian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Material And Methods: A cross-sectional study of 50 patients satisfying the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League against Rheumatism Classification Criteria for RA was conducted. Anxiety was assessed using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), perceived social support by the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL), health-related quality of life (HRQoL) by the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and disability by the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI).